Opal Erne
Stuntwoman / Horsewoman
1894-1975
Opal was a stuntwoman and double for over thirty years in Hollywood, California, beginning in the 1920s. Although she leaped from airplanes and executed other daring stunts, she specialized in western movies and was a stunt double for Dale Evans in the late 40s and early 50s. She was in The Big Trail with John Wayne, The Bride Came COD with James Cagney and Bette Davis, The Girl of the Golden West and Westward the Women to name a few of her many movies. One of her favorite pleasures was riding Palominos in almost every Rose Parade from the 1920s through the 1940s. Sometimes she portrayed a western cowgirl and sometimes a Mexican vaquera. She always wore her silver spurs made by Edward Bohlin with her name engraved on them. They were equipped with little jinglebobs that jingled and sang when she walked or rode – one could always hear her coming. She also showed in horse shows (jumpers and western stock horses) and competed in various rodeos, including the Hoot Gibson Rodeo of 1936. She was a remarkable horsewoman and she maintained her SAG membership well into her eighties, continuing to work in Hollywood as an extra until her death.
Written by Opal’s neice Peggy Hughes
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